German teacher contributes to community integration

Samuel Sadiq, a German language teacher from Hamburg, Germany, at Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU) in Pingshan District, has enthusiastically participated in numerous community events in the district. Leveraging his expertise in languages and drawing upon his cultural background, he endeavors to foster a sense of belonging among locals and fellow expatriates in the community.

Samuel Sadiq Courtesy of the interviewee

“China has given me a lot. I have a good job here, and my wife is Chinese. Everyone is friendly to me. I thought I should give something back to the community whenever possible. That was my main motivation,” Sadiq said.

“You always try to be useful, and maybe I could be of help getting Chinese people new perspectives through these events. My interactions with local people during volunteer work have also made me feel more at home,” he added.

Samuel Sadiq poses for a photo at Shenzhen Technology University's School of Foreign Languages in Pingshan District. Photo by Cao Zhen

On Oct. 20 last year, Sadiq took part in a bilingual picture book reading event in Maluan Subdistrict. He and his SZTU student Su Shengliang read “The Unicorn That Said No,” a picture book presented in both German and Chinese, to local children unfamiliar with the German language.

“I simply wanted to give them the experience of listening to German, allowing them to feel how German sounds because German has a bad reputation for its harsh tones. This is not true in my opinion; every language can sound really nice,” Sadiq said.

Samuel Sadiq (L) and Su Shengliang read “The Unicorn That Said No” during the bilingual picture book reading event in Maluan Subdistrict on Oct. 20, 2023. Photos courtesy of the event organizer unless otherwise stated

During the event, Sadiq read the German story as gently as possible, using expressive gestures to narrate it. Su read the book in Chinese, and the children responded in English or Chinese throughout the event. “The children enjoyed both the reading and the activities. We are now planning a similar event in Shijing Subdistrict, which will incorporate more interactive games,” Sadiq added.

Sadiq graduated from Hamburg University, majoring in Japanese, German and applied linguistics. He relocated from Germany to Shenzhen in 2018 with his wife. “I simply searched online using the keywords ‘German teachers in Shenzhen’ to find job opportunities, and then SZTU turned up.”

Samuel Sadiq uses his expressive gestures to narrate the story during the bilingual picture book reading event Oct. 20, 2023.

Recalling his arrival in Pingshan five years ago, Sadiq noted: “Everything was under construction, with dust everywhere, including SZTU. But relying mainly on buses in Pingshan back then helped me see a lot in the district: the factories, the business district, old Hakka villages and restaurants.”

His Japanese proficiency also facilitated his understanding of some Chinese characters, and his prior teaching experience at Hiroshima University in Japan made it easier for him to acclimate to China.

Samuel Sadiq (R) and Su Shengliang (2nd R) interact with children during the bilingual picture book reading event Oct. 20, 2023.

With basic proficiency in Chinese, Sadiq continues to learn Chinese to enhance his engagement with the local communities. For future events, he suggests organizing long-term themed activities that delve into various cultural aspects. 

“For instance, considering the diverse population from Pakistan, Russia, India and Germany in Pingshan, we could arrange potluck events to explore the cuisines of these countries. This offers a sensory journey from your mouth to your head, allowing cultural exploration through food.”

As an active volunteer in Pingshan, Sadiq was invited to deliver a speech during the ceremony announcing the construction of the second batch of 20 international blocks in Shenzhen on Oct. 26 last year. He said he has witnessed the rapid modernization and urbanization in Shenzhen and Pingshan, as well as SZTU’s dynamic progress, from physical structures to organizational framework.

Samuel Sadiq delivers a speech during the ceremony announcing the construction of the second batch of 20 international blocks in Shenzhen on Oct. 26, 2023. Photo by Wang Jingli

He said these developments brought to mind the ancient Chinese tale of “The Foolish Old Man Moves a Mountain.” He emphasized that while Shenzhen is rapidly evolving, “the significant growth in the international blocks underscores the strong bonds between locals and expats, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas within communities.”

“Constructing high buildings is one thing, but you also need your ‘foolish old man’ to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks, infusing these buildings with life. It requires the development of culture and mindset, a slow and arduous process that takes time,” he explained.